The 135th Varsity Match hosted by London’s Royal Automobile Club last Saturday resulted in a narrow win for Oxford, who have reduced their overall deficit. The score is now 59 wins to Cambridge, 54 to Oxford. The brilliancy prize, judged by grandmasters Jon Speelman and Luke McShane and named in honour of Bob Wade OBE, was awarded to the Cambridge player Daniel Fernandez. When we join the position he is a piece down for very little compensation.
Gerlagh (University College, Oxford)-
Fernandez (Queens College, Cambridge)
See diagram 1
27 Ra6+ Much better is 27 Nb6 with the idea 27 … Rxc2 28 Nxd5+ Nxd5 29 Bxe4 Rc5 30 Ra6+ winning. 27 … Kg5 Despite the extra piece, White is in difficulties. 28 Nd6 Rxc2 29 h4+ Kg4 30 Ra7 Nxg2 31 Kxg2 Rxe2+ 32 Kf1 Rxb2 33 Rxg7+ Kf3 34 Ke1 b3 35 f6 Rb1+ 36 Kd2 e3+ 37 Kd3 Rd1 mate
Aguiar (Balliol College, Oxford)-
Andreev (Trinity College, Cambridge)
See diagram 2
White’s passed b-pawn will undoubtedly win the game.
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